Thursday, March 15, 2012

The Day-Care Dilemma

Incredible - There were 400 record highs set or tied across the US yesterday. Some of the warmest weather so early in the season EVER in parts of the Midwest. And the warmth is predicted to last for several more days. The continued streak of warm weather means the famed cherry blossoms in the nation's capital will now peak a week earlier than originally predicted. All around us, trees are blooming, birds are singing, the dogs are shedding and my allergies couldn't be worse--I am really enjoying every minute of it!

-Tulip-Magnolia tree blooming near my office-

This morning I took Todd for another evaluation at a second-day care. The place I took Todd last Thursday is located in the town where I live. Along with boarding dogs, they do have a day care. It's an older facility, clean and well kept. They keep the dogs on a regular schedule with play in the morning and are kenneled for an hour at noon. Weather permitting, in the afternoon they play in the outside areas. In the heat of summer, they will sometimes set up pools for the dogs to cool off in. The day ends between 3 and 4 o'clock in the afternoon and the dogs are crated until the owners come to pick them up. Knowing that Todd would be crated or kenneled for 3-4 hours a day was something I didn't really like. There were a couple of other things that I didn't like, so I didn't make a commitment about his coming there.

Where we went this morning is the total flip-side of the first. It's a 'Pet Resort' and that's exactly what it is, a resort. The automatic doors welcome you into the large designer lobby with a hotel-styled front desk. There is a gift shop, a pool and an agility course. While your cat or dog enjoy their stay, you can check up on them anytime because there are live pet-cams in each 'suite' where they are staying, and in the day-care as well. There is a restaurant style kitchen with a cook to prepare any special meals that your pet may require while there. And when they're all worn out from playing, they can have a spa-treatment to ease those tired paws.

Todd felt right at home in the posh surroundings and turned on his charm as he was 'evaluated' in the day-care. I watched from a viewing area. They introduced all the dogs to him and towards the end, when a Golden was brought in they took an immediate liking to one another and started playing right away. Of course since he lives with so many Goldens, I just thought it was just because of that. But I found out afterwards it was one of his pals from the other day care where he used to go--Who said dogs don't remember other dogs? There's not much to not like about this place. However my reluctance is only because they have very large play-groups of 35-50 dogs each day. While their dog-to-people-ratio is appropriate, I felt it was too many dogs, because they do not have divide groups of dogs by age or size. I have a concern about the Great Danes, Mastiff's and very large dogs being around Todd.

So, onto the next day care which Todd goes to on Wednesday. It was recommended to me by a friend, so I have no idea what to expect, other than it's a smaller facility. But as I write this, I have to wonder, am I putting too much thought into all of this?

42 comments:

Todd is worth the extra thought and time you are taking. I wouldn't want my dog in a crate for so long, and I wouldn't want my dog playing in such a large pack of dogs of all sizes. I'm just glad I don't need day care because I think it would be terribly difficult.

Hi Kim, I love the care and concern you have for Todd to be in the right place. The second place sounded so cool(but pricey)but I would feel there are just too many dogs together. My Sadie and Reggie would have definitely had an issue with it. Hopefully the place you'll try next week with be the perfect fit. Hope you have a wonderful evening.Lots of love, Noreen & Reggie

You may be over-thinking a little, but just let your instincts guide you. Of course, Todd will have some input to your instinct receptors.

My exuberant daycare child was Devo. He would be non-stop throw the ball for me, 8+hrs a day. I encouraged the day care folks to use their discretion about time-outs. He had the delightful habit of climbing into the big tub of drinking water for the big dogs and playing by himself with a ball. If he wasn't worn out at the end of the day, we would discuss fine tuning his activity schedule. They were happy to do that.

The flowers are definitely blooming all around. Spring has definitely arrived. Even though Spring is a beautiful season, many people dread the season because of their allergies.When I first read your blog and heard of day care I thought. hmm maybe I should consider taking Roscoe, but I am terrified he gets into it with another dog. He is not the friendliest. I have taken him to doggy parks and he is not so happy. He does not like it when other dogs come to sniff his butt not does he permit any other dog to come near me. Very protective. I hoep you find a good day care for Todd very soon. Poor thing must be stressed out. TFS ANA

Hi KimSpring is on hold here! We are having down pours of rain, and wind, and sometimes snow too. But today it is 51 and stormy. We yearn for spring-- oh please come!You are not putting too much thought into the day care for Todd. And your heart will know when you find the perfect one. And we feel there will be the perfect one!Todd is so beautiful in the photo.lovetweedles

Isn't it nice that you have so many to choose from !Unfortunately, our area doesn't have anything so nice, maybe closer to Nashville, but not here in the countryside...Todd is such a lovable fellow !Good luck with your choice, it's all so exciting :)~Jo

Never to much though where our furbabies are concerned ! I would go crazy if I had to daycare Miggy ! I am glad I am retired ! I am sure you will find some where suitable for Todd , only the best for our pooches ! It has been like summer here as well sunny and in the 80s and cool at night , right now we are having thunderstorms beacuse of the warm weather ! Have a good day !

Stella is an at home dog, retired Mom to look after her. She spends nice mornings out of doors or we are walking, and after that she comes in and hits the bed. She snoozes for at least 2 hours am, and a couple more later in the afternoon. So I wouldn't be alarmed if she were in a cage for that much time during the day. How much does Todd sleep during the day? Stella is five so maybe she is older and needs more sleep.

You have a lot to consider...Poor Todd...Sophie has become very Alpha so it troubles me if we ever have to put her somewhere sometime other than our daycare farm! You are so lucky to have all your flowering trees in bloom...snowflakes here...that's OK..we'll survive them!

Hey Kim,I am convinced that your gut-feel will prevail and the right choice made. I am still gobsmacked at the choices you folk have in the USA. As I mentioned...'Doggy-day-care' is a foreign concept here. 'Doggie-resort'?....WOW!Sending lotsaluv to you, to sweet Todd and to all the Golden Goldens.:)LotsaluvMAXMOM &THE GANG IN SA

never over think that you're giving too much love and thought to one of these magical fur people! i'm not of the "dress'em up like little humans" school of thought. but as to their health and welfare i think like so many other commenters... no. you are doing the right thing until he is through the puppyhood phase... then will he be okay left at home with the rest of the crew?he's their wee brother after all!love always dear heart,tammy j

No, you're not. I would be less concerned about him being kenneled for a few hours than being mauled by a big dog. Since dogs sleep many hours a day so they can keep us up at night, the confinement doesn't seem excessive.

I think one important factor is to see how they treat Todd and all the dogs. Some people are only in it for the money, but some really love dogs and they are so good to them. When we lived in Missouri, we ran a boarding kennel and sometimes daycare for the dogs. Even though they stayed separate from other dogs, they were in dog runs right next to each other. We also had a play yard where we socialized some of them that obviously would get along. We took them for long walks around our property, we spent many hours just playing with them and loving them. Most of our dogs came back over and over. The owners said that their dogs would start getting excited when they came down our road. I think it was the love.

Goldilocks, the Todd version. We concur with the others; you will spend just as much time as it takes to do it right. There must be a 'just right' place out there. Did you discuss your size/age mix concerns with the spa people? You can't be the only one with concerns about that. Sounds like a train wreck waiting to happen.

If you don't find a daycare, will Todd have to spend the whole day at home crated?

A Little About Me...

In 2007 my dream of living in the country and sharing it with senior Golden Retrievers came true when we moved to a small town in Northern Virginia into a home that would become 'Golden Pines.' Our lives are now filled with more rescued Golden Retrievers than I'll admit to, a Wheaten Terrier, a lively little Scottie, a black lab and a very tolerant cat. This blog chronicles snippets of a life in the country that has truly 'gone to the dogs!'